Eastern Mass. takes brunt of powerful snowstorm, brutal cold ahead

A fierce and fast-moving Nor'easter is blasting Massachusetts. Heavy snow and strong winds are expected until Thursday evening, followed by dangerously cold weather.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for southeastern and northeastern Massachusetts and a winter storm warning for the rest of the state from early Thursday morning through early Friday morning.

A flood warning has been posted for the coast until 4 p.m., a wind chill watch for all of the state until 2 p.m. Saturday and a high wind warning for Cape Cod and the islands. Moderate to major flooding is expected from Hull to Dennis. Some low spots could be inundated up to 6 feet. Some neighborhoods on the South Shore may be cut off for several hours Thursday afternoon. Moderate to severe erosion, with the greatest risk on outer Cape Cod and Nantucket.

The blizzard warning applies to Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Suffolk counties and eastern Norfolk, southern Bristol and eastern Essex counties. It will be in effect until 7 p.m.

Hundreds of schools across the state are closed and police warn against unnecessary travel. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at Logan International Airport. Traffic is light as drivers appear to have heeded warnings about dangerous conditions.

The Boston Bruins announced that tonight's game at TD Garden against the Florida Panthers has been postponed.

More than a foot of snow is possible, with poor visibility and blowing and drifting snow. Northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph, gusting to 70, are possible Thursday afternoon and evening, with the potential to take down limbs and power lines and cause property damage and widespread power failures.

The storm will arrive overnight and will last most of the day on Thursday. Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. the snow is expected to fall at up to 2 inches an hour. A storm surge of 2 feet will cause minor to moderate flooding at high tide between noon and 1 p.m. on north and east facing beaches.

Widespread flooding of shore roads and basements is possible, with up to 3 feet of water expected in some places. Waves and sea ice may damage beach structures.

Electric utilities are preparing for the storm to knock out power in some areas. Michael Durand, a spokesman for Eversource, said the company has brought line crews in from out of state and will also have tree-clearing crews standing by.

"With this type of storm, we expect the damage will largely be tree-related," he said.

Precipitation may start as rain in southeastern Massachusetts, but will change to snow by Thursday afternoon as temperatures drop. A flash freeze is possible.

Snow totals are expected to range from 6 to 8 inches in western Massachusetts, 10 to 14 inches in central and eastern Massachusetts and 3 to 6 inches on Cape Cod and the islands, which will also have the strongest winds.

A return to bitter cold in the wake of the storm will raise the possibility of ice jams and flooding. High temperatures on Friday and Saturday will be around 0 degrees and overnight lows could reach minus 10 to 20.

Wind chills could be as low as minus 15 to 35 on Friday night, when wind gusts are expected to be 35-40 mph over much of Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency warns that the wind chill may be life-threatening. Anyone going outdoors without adequate protection will risk frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes mon exposed skin.

The agency also warns of the increased risk of fire and monoxide poisoning, car breakdowns and water main breaks and burst pipes.